Pattaya Hotels

I am planning a holiday with my family to Phuket between 5 Aug to 15 Aug, and hoping someone may be able to provide any info. I will be staying at the "Centara Karon Beach Resort ".

1. Any info on this hotel?

2. How far is it from the main town of Phuket? Is transport readily available to Phuket?

3. What places are worth visiting near by?

4. Any action around this area?

5. Any bars around this place?

6. What kind of ST prices can I expect? (I won't be able to do ant LT's but hopefully I can slip away for a ST).

Thanks

Does anyone know if the Marriott Courtyard in South Pattaya is guest friendly?

Thanks,

Waffles.

[QUOTE=Jimthom;1726774]I also don' t like the walk of shame. So when I meet a girl I like, we exchange phone numbers. I tell her I'm going to the Walking Street Hotel and that I'll call her when I get there and get a room. I go to the hotel, get an ST room, and tell the receptionist someone will be joining me soon. Then I call the girl up and give her the room number. The rest is history. Short, sweet, safe, and not in my back yard.[/QUOTE]I like this MO. The safety aspect cannot be debated. What sort of prices for the ST room at this hotel?

[QUOTE=IllusionHeart;1725644]S I have been to Pattaya 3 times in the last six months and have stayed at Sunshine (Sea View Room) purely due to location advantage and Balcony.

I am also looking for an option which would offer the same location advantage, don't mind paying 200 to 300 baht extra. I have been paying avg 3300 baht per day so far.[/QUOTE]Christ! Illusion, that is an absolute rip-off price, unless you visited at peak season. Even then, 3300 is sky high. I have never paid more than 1700 for a high floor (10,11,12) sea facing room with balcony with the average tariff hovering at 1485. All inclusive, needless to say.

[QUOTE=Waffles;1742421]Does anyone know if the Marriott Courtyard in South Pattaya is guest friendly?[/QUOTE]Not sure if this hotel is guest friendly (send them an email and ask about "joiners" fees) but I have done some research and they do not get very good reviews on line. Basically tons of Indian tour groups disrupting the place is the re-occuring theme. Plus the location is not that great. Although it is a different price point IMO if you want to stay in the same hotel family you would be [I]much happier[/I] down the road at the Marriott Resort and Spa.

SL.

Hey folks, had a bit of an interesting exchange last night with the hotel reception. I'm not sure I acted totally appropriately, but my intentions were pure.

I had arranged for a regular to come to my hotel at 11 pm. At about 11:15, I texted her, then called her at 11:30. Phone was off, of course. Since I was pretty drunk anyway, I decided to just send her a 'goodnight' text and hit the sack. At about 12:15, the hotel phone rang and it was the girl down in the lobby. She said "You are in room _ right?" She had the correct room number. I told her the I'd come down to the lobby to get her.

Apparently she'd been there for about 15 minutes and had told the reception my name and asked to be let up or at least to be able to call me. Now, this worked out fine for me, but I questioned the wisdom of this in case some fellas here were with their wives or had arranged other company for the night. If reception is giving out room numbers, or even just phone access, it could get a bit messy. The guy at reception was pretty angry at my questions (indeed, angry in a very un-Thai manner), so I backed down quickly and said we had no problem.

I will say that I do love Areca and will continue to stay here when I visit. I just thought some people would be interested in what happened.

[QUOTE=Biffduff;1746065]Hey folks, had a bit of an interesting exchange last night with the hotel reception. I'm not sure I acted totally appropriately, but my intentions were pure.

I had arranged for a regular to come to my hotel at 11 pm. At about 11:15, I texted her, then called her at 11:30. Phone was off, of course. Since I was pretty drunk anyway, I decided to just send her a 'goodnight' text and hit the sack. At about 12:15, the hotel phone rang and it was the girl down in the lobby. She said "You are in room _ right?" She had the correct room number. I told her the I'd come down to the lobby to get her.

Apparently she'd been there for about 15 minutes and had told the reception my name and asked to be let up or at least to be able to call me. Now, this worked out fine for me, but I questioned the wisdom of this in case some fellas here were with their wives or had arranged other company for the night. If reception is giving out room numbers, or even just phone access, it could get a bit messy. The guy at reception was pretty angry at my questions (indeed, angry in a very un-Thai manner), so I backed down quickly and said we had no problem.

I will say that I do love Areca and will continue to stay here when I visit. I just thought some people would be interested in what happened.[/QUOTE]Interesting, they should never hand out guest details to strangers. Rule is, the front desk calls the guest on any inquiry from other guests or anyone else, including family.

Was it in the Areca or the Evergreen front desk? I stayed there 5 nights last week, super deluxe room in Evergreen tower. The Evergreen front desk seemed over worked or stressed.

I also experienced that they were a bit rude to one of the girls I had with me for two days. She's an Issan non-pro, very polite herself. When I brought go-go girls they didn't have that derogative attitude. But enough for me so I will probably not stay there next time.

[QUOTE=Biffduff;1746065]Hey folks, had a bit of an interesting exchange last night with the hotel reception. I'm not sure I acted totally appropriately, but my intentions were pure.

I had arranged for a regular to come to my hotel at 11 pm. At about 11:15, I texted her, then called her at 11:30. Phone was off, of course. Since I was pretty drunk anyway, I decided to just send her a 'goodnight' text and hit the sack. At about 12:15, the hotel phone rang and it was the girl down in the lobby. She said "You are in room _ right?" She had the correct room number. I told her the I'd come down to the lobby to get her.

Apparently she'd been there for about 15 minutes and had told the reception my name and asked to be let up or at least to be able to call me. Now, this worked out fine for me, but I questioned the wisdom of this in case some fellas here were with their wives or had arranged other company for the night. If reception is giving out room numbers, or even just phone access, it could get a bit messy. The guy at reception was pretty angry at my questions (indeed, angry in a very un-Thai manner), so I backed down quickly and said we had no problem.

I will say that I do love Areca and will continue to stay here when I visit. I just thought some people would be interested in what happened.[/QUOTE]I've stayed there during my last five stays but the WiFi has gotten worse each time so that it never works anywhere now. That's a deal breaker for me.

Hey fellow farangs,

I am fixing to go back to Thailand and check out Pattaya for the first time (Did Bangkok and Phuket before). I will probably head there at the end of September.

I go for a nice trip, not just mongering (for example I will probably spend a few days at Ankor what) and like staying at decent hotels that will turn a blind eye.

Surprisingly enough last time the Conrad Hilton in BKK was just that. High end, no joiner fees, no hassle even.

I am looking for something maybe not on the level of the CH, but at least decent. For example I was checking out Secrets because it is so close to the water, yet they don't show any rooms with windows or views. Which concerns me.

Your input would be appreciated.

The words Hilton and secrets in pattaya are totally at odds. Ones a five star, the other is a dive that appeals to a ragtag assortment of contract oil workers, senior citizens and the like, who think it's a palace. Nice looking bar below with some generally average hos. High barfines too. Good place if you're an invalid or too out of it to hunt your own prey. Better to go for the real deal and stay at the Hilton or Marriott. Both ho friendly and nice places. You'll also avoid meeting secrets bar manager, a real annoying salesman who calls himself mr egg.

Disclosure: I have been banned at secrets forum for taking to task a quasi [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord911][CodeWord911][/url] 75 year old grandpa who would keep bragging about shagging 19 year old lasses. (yes anythings possible when you pay them 4 k baht st gramps!

[QUOTE=BadDances;1753024]Hey fellow farangs,

I am fixing to go back to Thailand and check out Pattaya for the first time (Did Bangkok and Phuket before). I will probably head there at the end of September.

I go for a nice trip, not just mongering (for example I will probably spend a few days at Ankor what) and like staying at decent hotels that will turn a blind eye.

Surprisingly enough last time the Conrad Hilton in BKK was just that. High end, no joiner fees, no hassle even.

I am looking for something maybe not on the level of the CH, but at least decent. For example I was checking out Secrets because it is so close to the water, yet they don't show any rooms with windows or views. Which concerns me.

Your input would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BadDances;1753024]Hey fellow farangs,

I am fixing to go back to Thailand and check out Pattaya for the first time (Did Bangkok and Phuket before). (. . .)

I go for a nice trip, not just mongering (for example I will probably spend a few days at Ankor what).[/QUOTE]Angkor Wat is in Cambodia, near Siem Reap.

[QUOTE=Redfield10;1752110]I've stayed there during my last five stays but the WiFi has gotten worse each time so that it never works anywhere now. That's a deal breaker for me.[/QUOTE]I also had unreliable wi-fi on my last stay at the Areca. Sometimes the signal was stronger at nights or if I stood closer to the room door. I've had similar wi-fi problems in other hotels in the USA, SE Asia and South America. I mentioned this to a "tech" friend and he recommended bringing a small wi-fi extender that plugs into an AC outlet that cost between $25-$40.

Since it looks small, I might buy one for my next trip. Hopefully it works. If not, I can always return it for a refund.

[QUOTE=BadDances;1753024]Hey fellow farangs,

I am fixing to go back to Thailand and check out Pattaya for the first time (Did Bangkok and Phuket before). I will probably head there at the end of September.

I go for a nice trip, not just mongering (for example I will probably spend a few days at Ankor what) and like staying at decent hotels that will turn a blind eye.

Surprisingly enough last time the Conrad Hilton in BKK was just that. High end, no joiner fees, no hassle even.

I am looking for something maybe not on the level of the CH, but at least decent. For example I was checking out Secrets because it is so close to the water, yet they don't show any rooms with windows or views. Which concerns me.

Your input would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]Angkor what? Wrong forum. Take a flight to Siam Reap from Don Mueng. Have a happy pizza (ask for extra happy) while there and then walk over to Mikey's near pub street. Lots of available girls. Approximately 60 minutes after the pizza the ladies at Mikey's turn into penthouse models (or zombies).

[QUOTE=Yujin;1754262]I also had unreliable wi-fi on my last stay at the Areca. Sometimes the signal was stronger at nights or if I stood closer to the room door. I've had similar wi-fi problems in other hotels in the USA, SE Asia and South America. I mentioned this to a "tech" friend and he recommended bringing a small wi-fi extender that plugs into an AC outlet that cost between $25-$40.

Since it looks small, I might buy one for my next trip. Hopefully it works. If not, I can always return it for a refund.[/QUOTE]I was at Areca last week. The signal was strong but quality horrible. Range extender won't help. Buy an unlimited data package for your sim and set up a wireless hotspot using the phone instead.

[QUOTE=BadDances;1753024]Hey fellow farangs,

I am fixing to go back to Thailand and check out Pattaya for the first time (Did Bangkok and Phuket before). I will probably head there at the end of September.

I go for a nice trip, not just mongering (for example I will probably spend a few days at Ankor what) and like staying at decent hotels that will turn a blind eye.

Surprisingly enough last time the Conrad Hilton in BKK was just that. High end, no joiner fees, no hassle even.

I am looking for something maybe not on the level of the CH, but at least decent. For example I was checking out Secrets because it is so close to the water, yet they don't show any rooms with windows or views. Which concerns me.

Your input would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]Neither is what I would consider a "nice" hotel. Penthouse is the better of the two; for location and debauchery. You can take 10 girls up if you want.